English Language - what "Does your head in" ??
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Re: English Language - what "Does your head in" ??
I am often annoyed by the by the superstition that some words are unacceptable, but other words for the same thing are polite.
The current niggle is that "poo" is fine, but "sh1t" is shocking. This idea that words make a difference in the real world is a belief in magic.
Another is "pee" is OK, but not "p1ss".
I expect you can think of many other examples. "Sleep with" for instance.
I once scandalised a lady who was letting her dog mess in the street by using an Anglo-Saxon word to describe her dog's activity.
I suppose that I have a dislike of euphemism.
The current niggle is that "poo" is fine, but "sh1t" is shocking. This idea that words make a difference in the real world is a belief in magic.
Another is "pee" is OK, but not "p1ss".
I expect you can think of many other examples. "Sleep with" for instance.
I once scandalised a lady who was letting her dog mess in the street by using an Anglo-Saxon word to describe her dog's activity.
I suppose that I have a dislike of euphemism.
It's the same the whole world over
It's the poor what gets the blame
It's the rich what gets the pleasure
Isn't it a blooming shame?
It's the poor what gets the blame
It's the rich what gets the pleasure
Isn't it a blooming shame?
Re: English Language - what "Does your head in" ??
It's called good manners Mike. Of course there is drift over time, but it's good manners to go along with these things (in most situations).Mike Sales wrote: ↑14 Mar 2023, 8:36pm I am often annoyed by the by the superstition that some words are unacceptable, but other words for the same thing are polite.
The current niggle is that "poo" is fine, but "sh1t" is shocking. This idea that words make a difference in the real world is a belief in magic.
Another is "pee" is OK, but not "p1ss".
I expect you can think of many other examples. "Sleep with" for instance.
I once scandalised a lady who was letting her dog mess in the street by using an Anglo-Saxon word to describe her dog's activity.
I suppose that I have a dislike of euphemism.
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- Joined: 7 Mar 2009, 3:31pm
Re: English Language - what "Does your head in" ??
And I do go along with it (mostly). I guess it is the near universal use of the infantile "poo" that is irritating me.mattheus wrote: ↑15 Mar 2023, 9:22amIt's called good manners Mike. Of course there is drift over time, but it's good manners to go along with these things (in most situations).Mike Sales wrote: ↑14 Mar 2023, 8:36pm I am often annoyed by the by the superstition that some words are unacceptable, but other words for the same thing are polite.
The current niggle is that "poo" is fine, but "sh1t" is shocking. This idea that words make a difference in the real world is a belief in magic.
Another is "pee" is OK, but not "p1ss".
I expect you can think of many other examples. "Sleep with" for instance.
I once scandalised a lady who was letting her dog mess in the street by using an Anglo-Saxon word to describe her dog's activity.
I suppose that I have a dislike of euphemism.
It is interesting that use of the Latin word is considered acceptable by the bluenoses.
It's the same the whole world over
It's the poor what gets the blame
It's the rich what gets the pleasure
Isn't it a blooming shame?
It's the poor what gets the blame
It's the rich what gets the pleasure
Isn't it a blooming shame?
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- Joined: 9 Jan 2007, 2:44pm
Re: English Language - what "Does your head in" ??
The Butterfield edition of Fowler has quite an entry on guess meaning "I think it likely, I suppose."
Poo hasn't made it yet.
Anyway
That brings me to query what is the purpose of a dictionary?
Is it to settle arguments: "Define xxxxx" or to clarify the meaning of new expressions for those of us "behind the curve." ? Especially the steep learning curve.
Poo hasn't made it yet.
Anyway
might have covered what's doing your head in, I guess. If it really is "near universal, your cause is lost to usage.I guess it is the near universal use of the infantile "poo" that is irritating me
That brings me to query what is the purpose of a dictionary?
Is it to settle arguments: "Define xxxxx" or to clarify the meaning of new expressions for those of us "behind the curve." ? Especially the steep learning curve.
Re: English Language - what "Does your head in" ??
I have read that all the "bad" words we were told not to use as children were just ordinary words a couple of centuries ago. Then the Vickies arrived.
Cue Calvin & Hobbes: https://calvinandhobbes-daily.tumblr.co ... ch-27-1992
Cue Calvin & Hobbes: https://calvinandhobbes-daily.tumblr.co ... ch-27-1992
Have we got time for another cuppa?
Re: English Language - what "Does your head in" ??
It's a major problem in healthcare. The professionals need to be very careful to make sure that they understand what the patient is saying and hearing and understanding. And reticence about embarrassing symptoms and how to describe them is one of the causes of late diagnosis of cancer.Mike Sales wrote: ↑14 Mar 2023, 8:36pm I am often annoyed by the by the superstition that some words are unacceptable, but other words for the same thing are polite.
The current niggle is that "poo" is fine, but "sh1t" is shocking. This idea that words make a difference in the real world is a belief in magic.
Another is "pee" is OK, but not "p1ss".
I expect you can think of many other examples. "Sleep with" for instance.
I once scandalised a lady who was letting her dog mess in the street by using an Anglo-Saxon word to describe her dog's activity.
I suppose that I have a dislike of euphemism.
Jonathan
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Re: English Language - what "Does your head in" ??
I met a man with a big scar down the side of his face. He had been drinking in a pub when a rugby player at the next table objected to his swearing in front of his girlfriend. Pete took the line that the words were only sounds and letters and demonstrated by repeating them. F*, f*, f*,etc. The bloke smashed a beer mug into Pete's face.
It's the same the whole world over
It's the poor what gets the blame
It's the rich what gets the pleasure
Isn't it a blooming shame?
It's the poor what gets the blame
It's the rich what gets the pleasure
Isn't it a blooming shame?
Re: English Language - what "Does your head in" ??
A great example of two wrongs not making a right.Mike Sales wrote: ↑15 Mar 2023, 12:39pm I met a man with a big scar down the side of his face. He had been drinking in a pub when a rugby player at the next table objected to his swearing in front of his girlfriend. Pete took the line that the words were only sounds and letters and demonstrated by repeating them. F*, f*, f*,etc. The bloke smashed a beer mug into Pete's face.
Re: English Language - what "Does your head in" ??
Birmingham City fans are well educated, they all speak LatinMike Sales wrote: ↑15 Mar 2023, 9:28amAnd I do go along with it (mostly). I guess it is the near universal use of the infantile "poo" that is irritating me.mattheus wrote: ↑15 Mar 2023, 9:22amIt's called good manners Mike. Of course there is drift over time, but it's good manners to go along with these things (in most situations).Mike Sales wrote: ↑14 Mar 2023, 8:36pm I am often annoyed by the by the superstition that some words are unacceptable, but other words for the same thing are polite.
The current niggle is that "poo" is fine, but "sh1t" is shocking. This idea that words make a difference in the real world is a belief in magic.
Another is "pee" is OK, but not "p1ss".
I expect you can think of many other examples. "Sleep with" for instance.
I once scandalised a lady who was letting her dog mess in the street by using an Anglo-Saxon word to describe her dog's activity.
I suppose that I have a dislike of euphemism.
It is interesting that use of the Latin word is considered acceptable by the bluenoses.
Richard M
Cardiff
Cardiff
Re: English Language - what "Does your head in" ??
Bluenose seems to mean:
a priggish or puritanical person;
an unruly woman;
a Glasgow Rangers fan;
an inhabitant of Nova Scotia;
a Birmingham City fan.
a priggish or puritanical person;
an unruly woman;
a Glasgow Rangers fan;
an inhabitant of Nova Scotia;
a Birmingham City fan.
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Re: English Language - what "Does your head in" ??
I was about to mention "folk" as a synonym for "people" and it occurred to me I might have mentioned it before - and I have. And it continues to irritate methirdcrank wrote: ↑8 Jun 2022, 1:52pm My current Fowler says that "folk" as an ordinary word for people in general is tending to fall out of use in British English, except in northern England and Scotland, where it is standard. If that was so in 2015 when that was published, it no longer seems the case. I seem to see more of it than ever.
Re: English Language - what "Does your head in" ??
There's a basic difference between prescriptive and descriptive dictionaries.thirdcrank wrote: ↑15 Mar 2023, 10:04am ...
That brings me to query what is the purpose of a dictionary?
Is it to settle arguments: "Define xxxxx" or to clarify the meaning of new expressions for those of us "behind the curve." ? Especially the steep learning curve.
As there is across linguistics. The vast majority of serious scholars now favour a descriptive approach, and most of the major dictionaries are descriptive.
But of course a major theme in this thread is resenting change and overemphasising what people think that they were taught at school, and that's of necessity associated with prescription.
Jonathan
Re: English Language - what "Does your head in" ??
You should of posted this earlier.Jdsk wrote: ↑16 Mar 2023, 10:37amThere's a basic difference between prescriptive and descriptive dictionaries.thirdcrank wrote: ↑15 Mar 2023, 10:04am ...
That brings me to query what is the purpose of a dictionary?
Is it to settle arguments: "Define xxxxx" or to clarify the meaning of new expressions for those of us "behind the curve." ? Especially the steep learning curve.
As there is across linguistics. The vast majority of serious scholars now favour a descriptive approach, and most of the major dictionaries are descriptive.
But of course a major theme in this thread is resenting change and overemphasising what people think that they were taught at school, and that's of necessity associated with prescription.
Jonathan
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Re: English Language - what "Does your head in" ??
Richard M
Cardiff
Cardiff